Edward Alfred Harper

Edward Alfred Harper

Personal Information
Date of Birth	13 May 1905
Place of Birth	London, England
Death	30 Jan 1975, aged 69
Place of Death	Floreat Park, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	36 years, 8 months
Description	5'6" (1.68m) tall ; 146lbs 66.224 kg ; medium complexion ; brown eyes ; brown hair ; tattoo of peacock on right forearm
Occupation	Driver
Religion	Roman Catholic
Address	Kelmscott hotel, Kelmscott, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs. Florence Margaret Harper
Military Information
Reg Number	W232671 & 46283
Date of Enlistment	5 Jun 1940 & 21 Jan 1942
Rank	Corporal
Unit/Formation	No. 4 Transport & Movements Office RAAF
Post War Details
Medals	War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

Prior to arriving in Australia Ted had served in the Imperial Army from 1921 to 1927 as a Private. he had also spent two years in training for the Merchant Navy.

Electoral Roll entries: 1931 at Gascoyne Hotel, Carnarvon, yardman; 1936- 1937 at Darling Range Hotel, Bellview, Hotel keeper. Ted was the Kelmscott hotel publican at time of enlistment

During 1935 Ted had married Florence Margaret White. Daughters Carmel Florence (b. 6 Dec 1938) and Margaret May (b. 18 Oct 1940).

War Service

Edward was initially enlisted in the CMF for a short time. At the time of his discharge he was posted to the Western Command Supply Depot. On 7 Jul 1940 he was charged with "Offering violence and using insubordinate language to an NCO on 12 Jun 1940. For which he was fined 15/- ($1.50) and awarded 7 days CB. On 7 Jul 1940 he was discharged with services no longer required (hardship).

Eighteen months later on 21 Jan 1942 he joined the RAAF, mustered as Marine Boat Crew Aircraftman Class 1. He was sent to the No. 4 Recruit Depot RAAF at Pearce to undertake the P142 Recruit Drill Course before being posted on 25 Feb 1942 to No. 1 Service Flight Training School RAAF at Point Cook in Victoria. Following training, on 28 May 1942 he was posted to Bowen in north Queensland as a member of the motor boat crew.

On 31 Jul 1942 he was transferred to the O.B. Cairns and then on 30 Oct 1942 to the No. 25 Operational Base Unit in Cairns where on 6 Jun 1943 he was appointed Leading Aircraftman. Soon after he was admitted to the Cairns District Hospital from 5 - 7 Aug 1943 and then again in need of medical attention on 4 Oct 1943. On 1 Dec 1943 he was promoted Temporary Corporal and then on 26 Dec 1943 in Cairns, Ted was "Absent from his place of duty, in that he was absent from the Marine Section from 8:00am to 2:30pm on 26 Dec 1943". Awarded 14 days Confined to Barracks (CB).

On 6 Apr 1944 Ted was transferred to the No. 4 Transport & Movements Office RAAF before being transferred following a medical board to the No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF on 30 Jun 1944. Granted 21 days sick leave from 30 Jun to 20 Jul 1944, he was discharged on 28 Oct 1944 as medically unfit for further service (unsuited to occupations involving long hours with irregular meals).

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at Terminus Hotel, Fremantle, proprietor; 1954 at 166 Salvado road, shopkeeper; 1963 - 1972 at 33 Glengariff drive, Floreat Park, business man

Notes

Ted was granted a War Pension from 29 Oct 1944 at the 15% rate.